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in Robocall / Phone Scam
columbuscountynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal investigators in North Carolina seized approximately $5 million in cryptocurrency tied to a "pig butchering" scam, in which criminals pose as romantic partners to build trust with victims before directing them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The scammers promised high investment returns on these fraudulent platforms, then prevented victims from withdrawing funds and demanded additional payments for supposed taxes and penalties. The FBI traced victim funds through multiple cryptocurrency wallets used to launder the proceeds, with one victim losing an entire individual retirement account to the scheme.
forbesafrica.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses exceeded $3.4 billion in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly employing long-term relationship-building tactics rather than quick schemes targeting seniors aged 60 and older. Beyond elder fraud, the IRS has initiated over 460 criminal investigations into Employee Retention Credit (ERC) abuse, including a case where a preparer filed over $124 million in false claims, while also offering a second voluntary disclosure program through November 2024 for businesses to repay incorrectly claimed credits at 85% of the amount received.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
A neobank called Charlie is intentionally slowing payment processing speeds to combat the rising tide of financial fraud, implementing "Speed Bumps"—strategic pauses combined with real-time alerts and education—at vulnerable transaction moments. The company highlights that while most financial institutions prioritize faster payments, fraud has significantly increased with AI-enabled scams targeting all demographics, with elderly customers particularly vulnerable to long-con schemes like impersonation fraud and romance scams. Charlie's approach also allows customers to set custom transaction rules and designate family members as "fraud alert co-pilots" to monitor accounts, recognizing that even small frauds under $1,000 can have material consequences for those living pay
stgeorgeutah.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece explaining the "pump and dump" stock scam, which has persisted since the early days of unregulated Wall Street and continues today through modern channels like email and social media. The author advises investors to recognize three warning signs: unsolicited tips from strangers, appeals to greed or fear, and pressure to act quickly, emphasizing that legitimate investment opportunities would not be mass-marketed to millions of people by unknown parties.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2024, Hiya detected nearly 20 billion suspected spam calls globally, with spam flag rates exceeding 20% of unknown calls in 25 of 42 countries, alongside a significant rise in AI deepfake voice-cloning scams—including a January robocall impersonating Joe Biden in New Hampshire. Medicare, health insurance, and tax scams dominated in the United States, while France and Spain experienced the highest European spam rates (53% and 51% respectively), Brazil received the most spam calls per capita (26 monthly), and Canada and the UK saw surges in Amazon and tax authority impersonation scams. Researchers anticipate voice
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2022 and January 2023, a "pig-butchering" investment scam targeting Chinese citizens was operated from the Isle of Man, with scammers working from the Seaview Hotel and former bank offices in Douglas. Nearly 100 Chinese workers, many transferred from the Philippines, used fast broadband and QQ messaging to lure victims into fake investment schemes where they posed as investment "teachers" and fellow investors, ultimately siphoning off millions of dollars. Six workers have since been convicted in Chinese courts for their roles in the scam, which was run by Manx Internet Commerce (MIC), part of a larger company group that also operated an online casino to exploit
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams have surged 900 percent since the pandemic began, with over 46,000 Americans losing more than $1 billion to crypto fraud in 2021 alone. Common scams include phishing attacks, Ponzi schemes, fake ICOs, and fraudulent exchanges that exploit crypto's decentralized and hard-to-trace nature. Consumers should exercise caution by only investing what they can afford to lose, verifying information through credible sources, using secure storage methods, and consulting state and federal watchdog organizations like California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Nassau County police arrested two Bronx men in July 2024 after they attempted to scam a 73-year-old East Meadow resident by falsely claiming his bank account was compromised; the investigation revealed they were responsible for numerous additional scams. The county is warning residents about prevalent scams including home improvement fraud, fake relative arrest schemes, Social Security and IRS impersonation scams, lottery fraud, and computer remote access scams, which collectively cost victims thousands of dollars. Officials urge residents, particularly seniors, to remain vigilant, verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited services, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
rockislandtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
State Representative Dan Swanson reported on a community scam awareness event held in Alpha, Illinois, organized in collaboration with Farmers State Bank, the Illinois Attorney General's office, and local sheriffs to educate residents—particularly seniors—about various fraud schemes ranging from local to international operations. Swanson emphasized that awareness and simple precautions, such as avoiding unknown calls and protecting personal information, are the best defenses against becoming a scam victim. Additionally, an upcoming senior and veterans fair was announced for September 9 in Macomb to provide health screenings and information from senior service agencies.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection warned residents of a scam targeting Eversource and United Illuminating customers, where scammers impersonate utility company employees and offer fake senior rate discounts while requesting personal information like account numbers and payment details to commit identity theft and financial fraud. The DCP advised customers to hang up on unsolicited calls, verify legitimacy by calling the official number on their bill, and report scams to authorities and credit agencies.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Akron senior citizens—a 75-year-old and a 74-year-old—were defrauded of a combined $156,000 in an online scam that escalated to in-person theft. Scammers used fake pop-up warnings claiming hacked accounts and impersonated Microsoft and federal agencies to convince the victims to withdraw cash and hand it over to couriers who appeared at their homes. The cases have been referred to the FBI and Cyber Task Force, with police urging residents to be cautious of unsolicited demands for large cash payments and to report suspected fraud immediately.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece explains why telephone scams disproportionately target seniors over 60, accounting for more than 25 percent of fraud reported by this age group compared to less than 10 percent for those under 60. Scammers exploit seniors' ingrained etiquette behaviors (answering phones politely when they ring) and the telephone's familiarity as a lifelong communication device. The article provides practical defense tactics including not answering unknown calls, questioning callers, verifying government contact through independent channels, and recognizes that despite 2019 legislation requiring "Possible Scam" caller ID warnings, fraudulent calls remain difficult to stop due to provider circumvention of rules
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Kansas bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for embezzling $47.1 million through wire transfers to cryptocurrency wallets as part of a "pig butchering" scam in which he was the victim-turned-perpetrator. His actions directly caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse, resulting in $9 million in losses to investors, with the FDIC absorbing the remaining $47.1 million. Hanes circumvented internal banking controls with the help of employees to facilitate the fraudulent transfers between May and June 2023.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Portland woman fell victim to a romance scam after matching with someone on Tinder who posed as "Barton Nathan" and convinced her to send over $40,000 under the guise of needing money for visa fees, medical emergencies, and legal costs. The scammer used emotional manipulation and false promises of meeting in person to extract funds over several months before the victim realized the relationship was fraudulent. Romance scams resulted in over $1.14 billion in reported losses across more than 64,000 cases in 2023, making them the costliest type of online fraud despite being significantly underreported due to victim shame.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old woman in Lancaster County lost $7,000 after receiving a pop-up window on her computer warning of suspicious banking activity; she was directed to withdraw the money and convert it to Bitcoin, a common fraud tactic. In a separate incident, a man was targeted in an attempted sextortion scam via a dating app and Snapchat, where a woman threatened to share explicit photos unless he paid $2,000, though he avoided losing money by hanging up. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office warns residents that anyone instructed to purchase Bitcoin by phone should hang up immediately, as these scams affect people of all ages.
theverge.com
· 2025-12-08
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank and routing it to cryptocurrency accounts controlled by pig butchering scammers. Between May and June 2023, Hanes made 11 wire transfers using stolen bank funds while also embezzling from a local church, investment club, and his daughter's college savings account, ultimately causing the bank to collapse. Pig butchering scams, which lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments through relationship-building on messaging apps and social media, have cost victims over $75 billion globally in recent years
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, fell victim to a pig-butchering cryptocurrency scam and subsequently embezzled $47 million from the bank to fund fraudulent "investments," resulting in the bank's collapse and his conviction on embezzlement charges. Before stealing from the bank, Hanes had already victimized a local church, investor club, his daughter's college fund, and a neighbor in attempts to feed the scam. He received a 24-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to embezzlement.
androidauthority.com
· 2025-12-08
Phone scams are increasingly sophisticated and cost US consumers $2.7 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone, with numbers rising annually. The article identifies 12 common phone and text scams including the "loved one in need" (grandparent scam), government impersonation (FBI/IRS), and other fraudulent schemes that exploit emotional pressure and official-sounding tactics. Key prevention strategies include verifying caller identity through alternative contact methods, refusing to send money to unknown callers, and being skeptical of urgent payment demands, especially via wire transfers or gift cards.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore experienced a significant surge in scams from January to June 2024, with 28,751 cases resulting in SG$385.6 million (approximately $294.65 million) in losses—a 24.6% increase from the same period in 2023. Scammers increasingly targeted victims through messaging apps (particularly WhatsApp at 50.2% and Telegram at 45% of cases) and social media platforms (Facebook at 64.4%), using social engineering and deception to manipulate victims into self-executing fund transfers; notably, victims aged 65 and above suffered the highest average losses per incident, with government impersonation sc
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI launched a new public awareness campaign called "Take a Beat" to educate the public about major fraud schemes, including impersonation scams (posing as banks or law enforcement), cryptocurrency investment fraud, grandparent scams using AI voice cloning, and recovery scams targeting previous fraud victims. One Bay Area victim lost $950 to a scammer impersonating a Citibank employee, illustrating how fraudsters exploit emotional urgency and personal information to manipulate victims into sending money or revealing passwords.
mypunepulse.com
· 2025-12-08
A romance scam ring operating in Mumbai has defrauded at least 12 men of ₹23,000 to ₹61,000 each through a coordinated scheme involving dating apps (Tinder and Bumble), fake female profiles, and The Godfather Club restaurant in Andheri West. The scammers lure men to meetings, order expensive undisclosed items, then abandon the victims with inflated bills while bouncers allegedly threaten or intimidate them into paying. Similar scams have been reported across other major Indian cities, and Mumbai Police has not yet taken action despite public exposure by lawyer and activist Deepika Narayan Bhardw
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Tether, the issuer of the largest stablecoin USDT, assisted the US Department of Justice in recovering approximately $5 million stolen in a romance (pig-butchering) scam, where victims were deceived into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. Since 2014, Tether has recovered $108.8 million in stolen USDT across more than 145 enforcement agencies in 40 jurisdictions by tracking and blocking wallets associated with illicit activity.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity expert warned that major data breaches—including AT&T's 2024 compromises affecting millions of customers' personal information—enable sophisticated scams orchestrated by state-sponsored actors from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran who use stolen data for social engineering attacks. Victims lose billions annually to romance scams and "pig-butchering" investment scams (particularly in cryptocurrency), with one in four Americans losing an average of $500 to scams in the past year. The expert recommends monitoring for phishing attempts, using unique passwords with a password manager, and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect against fraud resulting from data breaches.
news.abplive.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mumbai man lost Rs 61,000 in a dating app scam where a woman met him at an upscale restaurant, ordered expensive items without showing him the menu, then left abruptly, leaving him to pay the inflated bill. The scam operates through dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, with victims reportedly threatened by bouncers if they refuse to pay bills ranging from Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000, and at least 12 victims have been identified targeting the same venue and perpetrators. Similar schemes have been reported across major Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudulent QR code stickers were affixed to approximately 150 parking meters in Redondo Beach's Esplanade and Riviera Village areas, directing users to a fake website (poybyphone.online) where they were prompted to enter payment and personal information. The scam, known as "quishing," has been used in multiple cities and can expose victims to identity theft and financial fraud; all stickers have been removed and authorities are investigating. Residents who may have been defrauded or scanned the fake codes are encouraged to contact the Redondo Beach Police Department.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A GOBankingRates survey identified common red flags that help people recognize financial scams, including unsolicited communication, poor grammar, unfamiliar sender information, requests for personal data, and time-sensitive offers. Financial experts explain why people still fall for increasingly sophisticated scams despite these warning signs—fraudsters now use AI-generated messages, mimic legitimate companies, exploit memory lapses, and use pressure tactics to cloud judgment. Additional red flags include too-good-to-be-true investment promises, lack of online presence, pressure tactics with confusing jargon, and requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
From January to May 2024, online fraud resulted in $1.6 billion in losses—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023, according to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data. Common scams include advance fee schemes, Nigerian letter schemes, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, telemarketing fraud, fake travel websites, and fraudulent debt collector calls using spoofed numbers and fake websites. The FBI advises victims and the public to be skeptical of unsolicited offers with artificial urgency, verify requests independently, and report suspected fraud.
connecticut.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
Legal experts warn that scammers are exploiting undocumented immigrants by impersonating licensed "notarios" (notaries) and offering to help them apply for the new Keeping Families Together Program, which provides a pathway to temporary legal status. These fraudsters send letters and make phone calls, falsely promising to secure legal status in exchange for money and collecting personal information that can be used fraudulently on notarized documents. Legitimate immigration experts do not guarantee results or charge upfront fees for legal status applications.
9now.nine.com.au
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated romance scam operating from compounds on the Myanmar-Thailand border, where trafficked workers—held captive and beaten by Chinese organized crime gangs—use AI-generated avatars and psychological manipulation scripts to build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps, then convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms. The scams have become so prevalent and profitable that they rival the drug trade; Australian victim Sarah lost $100,000 after months of grooming, and law enforcement officials warn this criminal enterprise poses an unprecedented global threat to vulnerable populations worldwide.
unisa.edu.au
· 2025-12-08
During Australia's Scams Awareness Week 2024, UniSA expert Dr. Braam Lowies highlighted that despite a 13% drop in scam losses, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in 2023, with older people over 65 suffering disproportionately—losing $120 million (a 13.3% increase). Investment scams, romance scams, and remote access scams remain prevalent, with investment scams causing the most harm, while scammers exploit psychological tactics and target older adults' retirement savings, often exacerbated by limited digital literacy and cyber security awareness. The campaign emphasized the importance of sharing scam
theadviser.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Scam Awareness Week 2024 (August 26–30) launched in Australia with the theme "share a story, stop a scam" as part of a broader effort by the National Anti-Scam Centre to equip consumers and businesses with scam prevention tools. In the first half of 2024, over 143,000 scams were reported, resulting in losses up to $134 million, prompting warnings from regulators like ASIC, which found that smaller lenders have "less mature" scam prevention strategies compared to Australia's major banks. Financial institutions are responding with new initiatives including enhanced identity checks, victim support improvements, and community education programs to combat increasing frau
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals have expanded text message scams impersonating state electronic toll collection systems across multiple U.S. states (Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington), with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints since early March. The scams use fake government websites and urgent messaging to trick drivers into clicking links and entering personal and financial information, with some scammers also collecting data for additional criminal activities. Symantec researchers recommend state governments increase public awareness campaigns and coordinate with federal agencies to combat these threats, which have also affected Australia, Canada, and Japan.
tnonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania State Police warned the public about an active grandparent scam in which callers claim a family member has been arrested and demand cash payment for their release, often instructing victims to have couriers pick up money from their homes. The alert provided protective measures including advice to verify requests with family members, avoid sharing sensitive information over the phone, never use gift cards for payments, and to hang up on suspicious callers. Victims of such scams are urged to contact law enforcement for investigation.
seehafernews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee held its first educational presentation on common scams and frauds targeting seniors on August 22nd, with strong community attendance and positive feedback. The interactive sessions covered online and phone scams affecting seniors, with support from local police departments providing additional insights. Follow-up presentations are scheduled for September 25th at two locations: Lester Public Library in Two Rivers (11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) and Whitelaw Fire Department (4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.).
newstalk940.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has identified five major scams targeting Texans: phishing emails mimicking banks to steal personal information, romance scams involving fake dating profiles that request money, lottery/sweepstakes scams requiring upfront fees to claim winnings, tech support scams requesting remote computer access, and IRS/government impersonation scams threatening legal action for immediate payment. The article advises Texans to be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or personal information and to trust their instincts when something seems suspicious.
abilene-rc.com
· 2025-12-08
Detective Kevin Landers of the Abilene Police Department outlines common scams targeting seniors, including romance, lottery, sweepstakes, and government impersonation schemes where callers demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes, and maintain good credit, though scammers prey on people of all ages. Landers recommends protecting oneself by verifying unsolicited offers online, resisting pressure to act quickly, monitoring credit reports annually, and stopping communication with suspected scammers immediately.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel warned that scammers are impersonating IRS officials to target seniors, claiming outstanding tax debt through phone calls, texts, or emails with fake caller IDs and urgent deadlines. Seniors over 60 lost a combined $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with IRS impersonation being the most common senior scam, though it occurs year-round. The IRS never initiates contact by phone, text, or email, never leaves urgent messages, and never demands immediate payment—legitimate tax notices arrive by mail only.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old NAB customer lost $10,000 after scammers impersonating Microsoft gained remote access to his computer and convinced him they needed his help catching fraudsters at his bank. A vigilant NAB fraud analyst detected the suspicious transaction and helped recover the full amount after the customer disconnected immediately. The incident highlights the sophistication of remote access scams, which have cost Australians over $4.7 million this year as part of $134 million in total scam losses.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Moving scams are prevalent, with the Better Business Bureau receiving 5,918 complaints against moving companies in 2023, and victims losing a median of $350. Common scams include stolen belongings, false quotes with inflated prices on moving day, non-refundable deposits where movers never appear, hostage loads where movers refuse to unload until additional payment is made, and unexpected charges for labor or supplies. To protect yourself, research companies using the FMCSA database and BBB, verify they have a physical address and U.S. DOT number, obtain multiple in-home estimates, keep detailed written documentation, use credit cards for payment, and supervise the move while using
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article identifies common red flags for financial scams, including unsolicited communications, poor grammar, unfamiliar sender information, requests for specific personal data, and time-sensitive offers. Financial experts explain why people still fall victim despite these warning signs: scammers use increasingly sophisticated techniques, AI-generated messages, spoofed contact information, and psychological pressure tactics to appear legitimate. Additional red flags include too-good-to-be-true investment promises, lack of online presence, pressure tactics, requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, and impersonation of trusted organizations.
thirteen.org
· 2025-12-08
At an AARP fraud prevention summit in Edison, New Jersey, experts including AARP's Kathy Stokes challenged the misconception that older adults are the most vulnerable to phone, text, and social media fraud. The summit, attended by more than 250 people, highlighted various fraud prevention strategies and raised awareness about the actual risk factors for financial exploitation.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven Maryland residents lost a combined $6.3 million in a gold bar scam where fraudsters posed as federal agents and claimed to be safeguarding assets from identity theft or foreign threats, directing victims to convert cash into gold bars for courier pickup by fake "FBI agents." The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office believes approximately 20 victims total were targeted in what officials describe as organized crime with international links to India and China, with scammers able to transport the untraceable gold across borders. Seniors are particularly vulnerable, with people over 60 reporting $3.4 billion in cyber fraud losses nationally in 2023.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A GOBankingRates survey found that Gen Z and millennials fall victim to financial scams at higher rates than older generations, with 35% experiencing phone-related scams compared to 25% of Gen Xers, and 18% of Gen Zers victimized by Social Security scams versus less than 2% of seniors. Fraud prevention experts attribute this vulnerability to younger generations' greater trust in digital platforms, overconfidence in spotting scams, financial pressures, and exposure to recruitment into fraudulent activities on social media, despite 81% of Gen Z believing they can identify AI-generated fraud.
floridatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are frequently targeted by scammers who exploit their trust and financial stability, with elder fraud causing over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 and an average victim loss of $33,915. Common scams include fraudulent phone calls impersonating banks or family members, phishing emails and texts, fake charities, Medicare/insurance schemes, tech support scams, and romance scams (which resulted in $1.3 billion in losses in 2022). The article advises seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify organizations directly before donating or sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC, Department of Justice, or AARP.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Brookdale Senior Living released educational guidance on protecting seniors from fraud, noting that crimes against seniors totaled over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—an 11% increase from the previous year. The article identifies common scam types including tech support scams, romance scams, investment schemes, and non-payment fraud, advising seniors to recognize red flags such as urgent demands for payment, requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency, and threats from authorities. Resources provided include awareness information at Brookdale.com and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) for reporting suspecte
wa.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Two Western Australian victims lost over $1.4 million combined to romance scammers in recent weeks, with one victim transferring $825,000 for relocation costs and another losing at least $600,000 to a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. The scammers employed multiple tactics including coaching victims to evade bank questions, using deepfake AI technology to manipulate video calls, and dragging victims into secondary scams as money mules and fake recovery schemes. Western Australia has recorded $2.9 million in losses across 26 romance scam victims in 2024, prompting authorities to warn people never to transfer money to online-only contacts and to be wary of love interests unw
skynews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Will Clinton and Jessica Greentree lost nearly $48,000 of their house deposit savings when scammers posing as their solicitor sent a fraudulent email requesting wire transfer during their home settlement process in New South Wales, Australia. The funds were transferred to a "mule" account and subsequently moved overseas, with their bank Macquarie offering only a $500 goodwill payment despite their complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. The couple warns that this rising scam targets first-time homebuyers through impersonation of solicitors and conveyancers, and advises prospective buyers to conduct transactions in person whenever possible.
multivu.com
· 2025-12-08
Crimes against seniors resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—an 11% increase from the previous year, according to FBI data. Common senior scams employ tactics such as demanding urgent payment, requesting non-conventional payment methods (wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards), or threatening to contact authorities. Red flags include unsolicited emails, calls, or texts using pressure tactics, and victims or their families can report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
krgv.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn travelers to avoid common scams including fake vacation rental listings, fraudulent hotel payment calls, counterfeit concert tickets, and phishing texts about unpaid tolls. To protect yourself, book through reputable sites, verify listings before paying, avoid wire transfers and prepaid cards, call businesses directly to confirm requests, and monitor your bank and credit accounts while traveling. Victims of travel scams can contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at 888-400-5530.